Tablet Diffusing Device

ABSTRACT

A device is claimed for passively diffusing sanitizing, deodorizing and tablets of other materials in a container of water. Preferably the invention is applied to diffusing sanitizing tablets, deodorizing tablets and tablets of other materials in a toilet tank, and means are described for positioning the device and controlling the amount of sanitizer and deodorizing and other materials diffused per flush.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the diffusing of sanitizing, deodorizing and other materials into water. More specifically, the invention relates to the diffusing of sanitizing, deodorizing and other materials in tablet form into a toilet tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inventors have been devising means of delivering disinfectants into toilets for over a century. U.S. Pat. No. 650,161 discloses a receptacle within a tank containing a disinfectant compound, with tubes in the receptacle arranged to prevent discharge of disinfectant until the toilet is flushed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,105,245 discloses a receptacle in a toilet bowl which contains solid chemical material, with solution fed into the receptacle and drained to the toilet bowl upon flushing. U.S. Pat. No. 3,290,698 teaches a container above the water level for chemical granules, with provision for spraying a portion of water over the granules with each flush through a screen into the toilet. U.S. Pat. No. 3,444,566 teaches a receptacle mounted on the overflow pipe with different chemical materials in separate chambers, with incoming water into a control chamber, then siphoned into chemical chambers, then siphoned back into the overflow pipe. U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,014 discloses sanitizer material in a flexible package, with water flowing into the package when the tank fills and out when the toilet flushes. U.S. Pat. No. 3,588,926 teaches a holder attached inside a toilet bowl containing germicidal tablets with a larger opening on top for water and a smaller opening on the bottom for discharge. U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,230 discloses a tablet dispenser including a magazine holding a stack of tablets, a pusher to inject one tablet into a discharge chamber with an apertured wall to allow liquid to dissolve tablets. U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,857 discloses an apparatus for cleansing and disinfecting a toilet tank including a reservoir containing a disinfectant soluble in water, volume-control chamber, a delivery tube vented to atmosphere and a dispensing orifice. U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,812 teaches a dispenser for a solid substance into a toilet tank with a long, narrow cell communicating with a compartment which is divided into and communicating with a deep portion containing a solid substance. U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,423 teaches an in-tank dispenser comprising a chamber with lower and upper portions, the lower portion containing a disinfecting agent with an inlet/outlet pathway in the form of a U-shaped conduit. U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,126 discloses a toilet disinfectant dispenser comprising a rectangular container having inlet and outlet ports and containing a soluble disinfectant tablet and means for feeding some water from the float-valve assembly into the inlet port. U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,459 discloses a chemical injection apparatus comprising housing to receive refill water and an inner chamber containing a chemical tablet, a portion of the water passing through a dispensing hole to contact the tablet and pass into a sump from which it is drawn by venturi into the refill water. U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,396 teaches a toilet cleaner controller device comprising a reservoir containing the cleaning chemical to receive water during refill, and a valve and outlet port to control flow of concentrated solution to the toilet. U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,572 B1 discloses a toilet bowl sanitizing apparatus comprising a container containing a plurality of sanitizing tablets, an intake pipe and an outlet pipe. U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,850 B1 teaches a vessel containing a supply of solid detergent and detergent solution, selective water supply to the vessel during filling of the tank, and means for delivering detergent to the tank when the toilet is flushed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,260 B1 teaches a lid for a toilet tank with an aperture containing a mesh assembly for containing a toilet-cleaning tablet. U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,209 B1 discloses a magazine type device for passively dispensing a plurality of sanitizing tablets sequentially into a container of water with at least one tablet partially submerged.

The multitude of approaches referenced above do not suggest the passive, simple and elegant device of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of the tablet diffusing device installed in a toilet tank.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the features of an embodiment of the tablet diffusing device installed on a toilet tank.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of features of an embodiment of the tablet diffusing device showing a plurality of tablets loaded into the tablet diffusing device.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the tablet diffusing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The tablet diffusing device of the present invention can be used in any container of water wherein some treatment, purification, deodorizing or preservation of water through dissolution of a solid substance into the water is appropriate. Examples of the use of the container of water may be, without limiting the invention, for water towers, livestock tanks, washing of items, bathing or swimming, or for flushing a toilet. The following description relates to installation of the device in a toilet tank, but do not exclude from the inventive concept other embodiments that may result from the modification of the description by a skilled routineer.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a tablet diffusing device 10 installed in a toilet tank 1 of the known art, the features of which are not limiting to the invention. The toilet tank 1 has an interior for selectively holding flushing water. A fill unit 2 for controlling water flow from a water supply to the tank is mounted in the tank. A lever 3, coupled to a float 4, controls the fill valve 5. Conventional flushing mechanism 6 empties the tank into a tank outlet 7. The tank outlet is in fluid connection with a toilet bowl, whose features are well known and thus are not shown. A trickle conduit 8 in communication with the fill valve 5 squirts water into the overflow container 9. A tablet diffusing device 10 is shown attached to toilet tank 1 and partially submerged at water level 11, the water level when toilet tank 1 is full to support operation of the tablet diffusing device 10 and subsequent flushing. The tablet diffusing device 10 is described in more detail in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

FIG. 1 also illustrates the tablet diffusing device 10 positioned in the tank communicating with water in the toilet tank 1. In this position, the tablet diffusing device 10 contains only a fraction of the volume of water of the toilet tank and controls the distribution of sanitizer, deodorizer and/or other material containing water into the toilet tank 1. A tablet usually will dissolve more thoroughly into a large toilet tank of water than it would dissolve into a much smaller volume of water in the tablet diffusing device 10, as saturation of dissolved sanitizer, deodorizer or other materials is achieved more rapidly in the tablet diffusing device 10 which would retard further dissolution. The tablet diffusing device 10 communicates with water in the tank through an opening described in more detail in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the tablet diffusing device 10 in greater detail with respect to its position at water level 11 in a container, here described as a toilet tank 1 as in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device, and shows an end-on view in parallel with the side of the toilet tank 1. For economy of assembly, this embodiment of the tablet diffusing device 10 is made by a fitting pipe 12 to a cap 13 creating a receptacle 18 for tablets 20 as described in FIG. 3. The cap 13 has a hole 14 through which tank water can rise into receptacle 18 to water level 11. One or a plurality of tablets may be inserted into the device through an open end of pipe 12. At a point of manufacture and after insertion of tablets, another embodiment of the tablet diffusing device 10 might close pipe 12 where the tablet(s) 20 is inserted so that the device and tablet(s) comprise a self-contained, one-time use unit.

FIG. 2 also illustrates an embodiment of means to attach the device to a tank. Pipe 12 has attaching knobs 15 mateable to a bendable attaching strap 16 by attaching holes 17 described in FIG. 3. The bendable attaching strap 16 is made of a bendable material capable of holding that shape while supporting the tablet diffusing device 10. The bendable attaching strap attaches to the side of the tank to permit tablet diffusing device 10 to submerge in part below water level 11.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the tablet diffusing device 10 in a cross-sectional view in greater detail and with respect to its position at the water level 11 of toilet tank 1. Pipe 12 is fitted with cap 13 to form receptacle 18 of sufficient dimension to accept tablets 20. One or a plurality of tablets 20 may be inserted into receptacle 18 through the end of pipe 12 opposite from cap 13. The base of cap 13 is shaped to position the lowest of tablets 20 in a parallel attitude to water level 11 and shaped to form a water chamber 19 within receptacle 18 below the lowest of tablets 20 each (13, 17, 18, and 19) in communication through hole 14 with the water in the tank.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the tablet diffusing device 10 in an isometric view in greater detail, particular the attaching means by the mating of attaching knobs 15 on pipe 12 to attaching holes 17 on bendable attaching strap 16.

The tablet diffusing device of the invention may be fabricated of any of one or more materials suitable to accomplish the objectives described herein, including without limitation ceramics, metals and resinous or plastic materials. Preferably one or more resinous or plastic materials are used to fabricate the entire unit. Such materials include, without limitation, one or more of polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutene; polyethylene terephthalate; polystyrene; polyvinyl chloride; and polyphenol. One or more of the polyolefins are particularly preferred materials. The device preferably is substantially transparent so that the number and condition of tablets remaining in the device can he observed.

The tablet diffusing device may be positioned in the container of water by any suitable means, including attachment to the side of the container, to the base of the container, by suspension above the container, or by suspense in a floating collar. Usually the diffusing device of the invention is mounted on a substantially vertical side of a container of water with side walls of the device usually parallel to the side of the container or toilet tank. The diffusing device may be attached to the container by any suitable attaching means, including without limitation bendable straps, zip ties, hooks, a support or mount, adhesives, screws or other connectors. Preferably the attaching means permit the elevation of the device to be adjusted in order to place the diffusing section at a level in the water to dissolve an appropriate amount of the tablet. The bendable attaching strap 16 of FIG. 2 comprise one such attaching means. If the diffusing device and tablets are provided as a unit for one-time use, it is preferable that it is mounted in a manner that it can be easily replaced.

The plane of the cap of the tablet diffusing device is at any suitable angle with respect to the level of the water that enables movement of the tablets downward in the chamber by gravity as at least one tablet in the diffusing section dissolves in water. The diffusing device should be position so that the device will not interfere with other features of the container; for example, so that the device can be placed in a toilet tank without impacting the cover of the tank or the flushing mechanism. Means for holding the plurality of tablets in gravity contact within the device may comprise, for example, chamber sidewalls of a shape to accept the tablets to be diffused.

The cap might be of a shape to create a water chamber below the bottom tablet suitable to optimize the amount and concentration of the diffused material. Other optimization might be achieved by suspending the diffusing device to partially submerge the bottom tablet or submerging additional tablets.

The diffusing device generally contains a plurality of tablets, i.e., two or more tablets of which at least one is in the diffusing section and one or more is in the holding section. The tablets are in gravity contact within the combined sections, that is, the tablets on the base are successively in contact via gravity pressure as the tablet in the diffusing section dissolves in water. Of course, at times only one tablet may be in the device in its dispensing section, intentionally or when the plurality of tablets are nearly spent.

The tablets contained in the device of the invention may be in any cross-sectional form and any size which can be diffused by the device of the invention. A circular form, i.e., a low-rise cylinder, is preferred since this is a standard form of manufacture. Other geometric forms such as blocks of appropriate width for the side walls which can slide along the plane also are suitable. The size of the tablets should be concomitant with the dimensions of the diffusing device. Without limiting the invention, a typical diameter of a cylindrical tablet for a toilet bowl can be in the range of from about 3 to about 10 cm with a cylinder height of from about 1 to about 4 cm.

The tablets may contain any materials known in the art which protect or improve the quality of the water, including without limitation disinfecting, cleaning, deodorizing, scents and coloring agents. Such materials include for example biocides (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde [pentane dial], bronopol, quat salts and chlorotriazaazonia adamantane), bromine, hypochlorite salts, chloramines, chlorimines, chloramides, chlorimides, perborates, cyanuric acids, and hydantoins together with stabilizing salts, surfactants and matrix agents. In an optional embodiment, the last tablet in the diffuser to be dissolved is of a different color than the other tablets and/or the center of the tablets are of a different color than the outer section of the tablets in order that that the impending complete dissolution of the final tablet can be predicted. In an additional optional embodiment, softgels or flexible packets of sufficient rigidity and duration could be used instead of tablets. It is within the scope of the invention that the device may be employed alternatively to diffuse other materials into water, e.g., fish food into a tank of fish or fertilizer into a tank used to diffuse a fertilizer solution.

The above description and figures are intended to be illustrative of the invention without limiting its scope. The skilled routineer will readily understand how to extrapolate parameters of the disclosure to other embodiments of the invention. The invention is limited only by the claims set forth herein. 

I claim:
 1. A passive solute diffusing device positioned in a container holding a liquid solvent for diffusing one or more constituent solutes into the liquid solvent, the constituent solutes contained in a liquid solvent soluble solid form, the device having a receptacle positioning the solid form in communication with the liquid solvent through an opening in the receptacle.
 2. A passive tablet diffusing device positioned in a toilet tank for diffusing water soluble material successively from two or more water soluble tablets containing the water soluble material into the toilet tank, each tablet in gravity contact with at least one other tablet, the device comprising: a. a means for positioning the table diffusing device in the toilet tank, and b. a receptacle with a holding section above a usual water level of the tank and a diffusing section partially below the usual water level of the tank, each of the sections comprising a means for holding each of the plurality of tablets in sequential gravity contact within the combined sections, the holding section comprising a means to move one or more of the tablets toward the diffusing section, and the diffusing section positioning at least one tablet at least partially submerged in water in the tank through an opening in the diffusing section, whereby a known concentration of soluble material is diffused into the toilet tank water when the toilet is flushed while the life of the tablets is prolonged.
 3. The device of claim 2 further comprising a water chamber formed below the lowest tablet at least partially submerged in water and the opening in the diffusing section.
 4. The device of claim 2 wherein the water soluble material will sanitize, deodorize or scent the toilet.
 5. The device of claim 2 wherein the device is substantially transparent.
 6. The device of claim 2 wherein the device and tablets are provided as a unit within an enclosed receptacle.
 7. The device of claim 2 wherein the last tablet in the diffuser to be dissolved is of a different color than the other tablets.
 8. A passive tablet diffusing device positioned in a toilet tank for diffusing water soluble material contained in one or more water soluble tablets into the toilet tank, the device comprising: a. a means for positioning the tablet diffusing device in the toilet tank, and b. a receptacle positioning at least one water soluble tablet at least partially submerged in water in the toilet tank through an opening in the receptacle, whereby a known concentration of soluble material is diffused into the toilet tank water when the toilet is flushed while the life of the tablets is prolonged.
 9. The device of claim 8 further comprising a water chamber formed below the lowest tablet at least partially submerged in water and the opening in the diffusing section.
 10. The device of claim 8 wherein the water soluble material will sanitize, deodorize or scent the toilet.
 11. The device of claim 8 wherein the device is substantially transparent.
 12. The device of claim 8 wherein the device and tablets are provided as a unit within an enclosed receptacle. 